D.A. Asked to Investigate after Stockton Mayor Says He Recorded Conversation

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STOCKTON—

After saying at Tuesday’s city council meeting that he had secretly recorded a conversation with City Manager Bob Deis, Mayor Anthony Silva could be facing wiretapping charges.

City Attorney John M. Luebberke confirmed Wednesday that the matter has been sent to the district attorney for review.

“Generally, under Penal Code section 632 the intentional recording of confidential conversations without consent is illegal. We will be providing to the Council a confidential memorandum intended to educate them regarding this subject and the potential ramifications of failing to strictly comply with this statute,” Luebberke wrote in a statement.

Silva issued a response to the situation late Tuesday afternoon.

“At the end of a long council meeting, I voted for the compromise tax initiative that will put 120 cops on the streets of Stockton. This was a long hard fight to get an agreement to put this on the ballot by November. I have been continually attacked by the city manager in my efforts to restore public safety. After laying off cops and going to war with the very police that protects this city, we have finally turned the page to move this city forward. We now agree that cops matter. We will never be a great city until we are a safe city. When Bob Deis threatened me last night and denied it publicly, I was willing to refresh his memory with notes that I took from our meeting. I understand how he misinterpreted my words. I have told Bob privately and now publicly that his divisive strategy is not in the best interest of the city any longer. I will not be bullied for speaking my mind.”

Council members unanimously approved putting a three-quarter cent sales tax increase on the November ballot during the meeting.

Dies announced earlier in June that he would be retiring come November 1.

Luana Munoz will have more on this story tonight. Make sure to watch FOX40 News.